Mt. Gulugod-Baboy: My First Climb

May 3, 2014. The day I was able to achieve one of my bucket list, that is, to experience mountain climbing. Together with my brother and my colleagues we've conquered Mt. Gulugod-Baboy at Anilao, Mabini, Batangas!

Trip to Batangas

The plan was to meet at Alps bus terminal in Cubao at 5:30am. There are two Alps bus terminal in Cubao, one is at the Araneta Center and the other is near Nepa Q-Mart. There was a little misunderstanding as to what terminal station we're going to meet and as a result we met past our call time and left at around 6:40AM.

Alps Bus Terminal near Nepa Q-Mart

The usual travel time from Cubao to Batangas is 2 hours but a problem occur on our way there, thus took us 3 hours to arrive at Batangas Grand terminal.

At the terminal, we semi-rented a jeep going to Philpan Diving Resort, where the jump-off point is. We arrived at the site past 11am and so, decided to eat at a nearby carinderia. 

We had Chicken Tinola, Buttered Chicken,
Pork Sinigang, and Spicy Squid for our lunch!

Refreshing view from the restaurant

The Climb

After the registration, we started our climb at exactly (drum roll please...) 12:20 in the afternoon! It seems crazy but we really did start at the peak hour of the sun. 

Registration site

Yes! We're 8 happy mountain climbers!
(Credits to Kuya Raymond)

Our ascent started on a cemented  trail. From the blogs I've read, it has come to my knowledge that the cemented trail wasn't part of the actual hike and that it is quite steep, but never did I imagine that the said trail was too long that it took us 10 minutes to reach the actual start of the hike.

Our long walk on the paved road was strenuous enough
to made me think about not continuing the hike.
(Credits to Kuya Raymond)

You haven't really started the real hike until you see this sign...

And the "real" ascent begins...

This is the start and the easy part of the real trail.
(Credits to Mavic)

The trail gets steeper and narrower as you get higher. (Rhyming, eh?)
(Credits to Lanie)

Mt. Gulugod-Baboy is considered as a beginners climb because it has, according to experts, a very short trail. But for first timers like me (or maybe, just for me), the very short trail becomes very long, that's why frequent rest is a must!

Resting isn't just an option for us but a must!

There were times that we stopped not to rest
 but to simply take photos.
(Credits to Mavic)

The ascent was really tiring, good thing there are houses along the way where you can sit and rest comfortably.

Some of the residents also sell some refreshments.

The Halo-halo costs 25 pesos.
They also sell 7-Up (13 pesos), Mountain Dew in can/bottle (20 pesos)

That's right!
There's no reason for you to become
hungry at the middle of your hike.

At The Top

After more than 2 hours, we finally made it! 

We rested for a couple of minutes under the mini shade of tree
before doing lots of photo ops.

All the struggles and pains that I felt as I scramble to the peak melted as I saw this amazing masterpiece! 

Indeed, You Only Live Once.
#YOLO
(Credits to Ian)

Mavic and I promised to ourselves that when we reached the summit, we will capture Do Min Joon's attention.  Just a quick explanation: Do Min-Joon (played by Kim Soo-Hyun) is the handsome alien of the Korean Series "You Who Came from the Stars/My Love from the Star" (currently airing in GMA 7). There was a scene in the series where Cheon Song-Yi (played by Jeon Ji Hyun), the lead actress, went to a mountain and shouted, calling Do Min-Joon, to test whether Do Min-Joon will hear her shout or not. (We're weird to mirror Cheon Song-Yi, aren't we?)

We shouted, "Do Min Joon-shi! Saranghae! Joaheyo!"
at the top of our lungs.
That means "Mr. Do Min Joon! I Love You! I Like You!"
(Credits to Ian)

After lots of photo ops at the summit, we eventually descended and reached the foot of the mountain at 5:05 in the afternoon. The descent was as hard as the ascent, but for me the climb down is somewhat dangerous. Because there are no enough trees or boulders to hold on to I slipped a couple of times, but the major reason if it, of course, is my clumsiness.

We did it! Yeah!
(Credits to Mico)

The Beach

The perfect way to relax after climbing? A short dip at the beach. 

We're very thankful because Philpan Dive Resort's owner allowed us to dip into their clear, clean, and cool beach. Plus we had a fair share of their shower room and one of their tables where we placed our bags. And we only paid 60 pesos (each) for all of it. 

Taken before we started our hike.

What a nice view of the sunset.
Taken after our insta-swimming.
(Credits to Ian)

Oh yes! We're ready to go home!
(Credits to Mavic)

Way Back Home

Around 7 in the evening we marked it as a day. We had our dinner at the Batangas Grand Terminal and left at exactly 8:30PM. We're tired as hell but it's nothing compared to the joy we experienced.

Di naman masayadong halatang pagod.
(Credits to Mavic)

It's More Fun in the Philippines

Here are some of the scenery photos taken on our way to the summit, at the summit, and at the beach.

Credits to Mavic

Credits to Mavic

Credits to Mavic

Credits to Lanie

Breakdown of MY Expenses:

Bus to Batangas Grand Terminal - 165

*Jeep to Philpan Diving Resort - 100

Registration Fee - 30

Entrance Fee to Philpan Diving Resort - 60

*Jeep to Grand Terminal - 80

Bus to Mantrade (EDSA) - 152

Food and drinks - 139

Others (fare to and from our house) - 103

* as I've mentioned we semi-rented a jeepney, instead of riding a jeep to Anilao from the terminal (vice versa) and ride a triyccle to Philpan Diving Resort from Anilao (vice versa), we just asked Manong driver to drop and pick us up directly at the Resort. Since it's just semi-rented, there were other passengers in the jeepney aside from our group.